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Sep 28 Rochester's 10 p.m. liquor change will take effect by next week

New rules for liquor sales in Rochester are expected to take effect next week.

The Rochester City Council on Monday gave a second reading to a motion to remove the city's outdated restrictions on off-sale liquor hours. The 10 p.m. change will begin next Monday night, allowing breweries and traditional liquor stores to stay open an additional two hours.

The council first voted to approve the ordinance change last week. The new ordinance will allow (not require) businesses to sell alcohol from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Saturday — in line with just about every other municipality in the state.

Minnesota law still requires liquor stores to close on Sunday. However, the city's new ordinance will allow small breweries and brewpubs to sell packaged alcohol until 10 p.m. on Sunday.